What is Chivalry...And Is It Virtue or Vice?

What is chivalry? Is it a knight in shining armor, saving a damsel in distress. These are the thoughts that come to people’s minds when they hear the word “chivalry” — “In the songs all knights are gallant, all maids are beautiful, and the sun is always shining.” But was this truly the case? Were all knights worthy of praise, and waving the high flags of bravery and faithful romance?

No. In fact, Europe was in chaos by the mid-ninth century. The fall of the Carolingian Empire had helped ruin the wingspan of nationalism, while the continuance of Feudalism helped divide the population into two classes, the nobles and the peasants. Meanwhile, the nobles (high leaders) enforced their will through taxes, to those that owned any property. Many did not, and were practically slaves to their Lord. In fact, some peasants were entirely reliant on their chief nobles.

However, it was not always these noble masters that terrified the peasants. It was their knights.

These “knights” ravaged Europe, violently pillaging their countrymen, often being able to kidnap, thief, and hurt whoever as they wished without consequences. Ironically, these were some of the “law enforcements officers” of the day.

Now, what exactly is a knight? The etymological path follows from the old English word “cniht”, which thereby comes from the nearby German, Italian, and Dutch versions; Knecht, kneht, and kniucht. It’s adequately defined as a “military follower of a king or other superior.”

So knights were professional military soldiers, which carried “a war horse…bridle, saddle, spurs, hauberk (a long-sleeved mail shirt, sometimes with a hood, or coif), helmet, shield, lance, and sword.” They were among the most feared on the battlefield and best dressed off it. Oftentimes, an “aristocratic birth, training from childhood, money for weapons, horses and squires, and a knowledge of the rules of chivalry” were the heavy requirements for admission.

However, a rowdy gang of home-grown and horse-knowing militia was not a satisfactory occupation for knights. To protect civilians and their names, it was the Roman Catholic Church of the day that created the Knight’s Code of Chivalry, a set of rules which were defined in the following 17 attributes.

Below is a summary in the Song of Roland,

“1.To fear God and maintain His Church

2.To serve the [vil]liege lord in valour and faith

3.To protect the weak and defenceless

4.To give succour to widows and orphans

5.To refrain from the wanton giving of offence

6.To live by honour and for glory

7.To despise pecuniary reward

8.To fight for the welfare of all

9.To obey those placed in authority

10. To guard the honour of fellow knights

11. To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit

12. To keep faith

13. At all times to speak the truth

14. To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun

15. To respect the honour of women

16. Never to refuse a challenge from an equal

17. Never to turn the back upon a foe”

While this was never created by one person in particular, it grew into magnificent proportions. It dramatically impacted the lives of those around it, and was understood by all. It was “a religious, moral and social code…and…provided a means by which knights could earn themselves a favourable reputation so that they might progress in their careers and personal relations.”

However, it quickly blew out of proportion. While starting out as a set of rules, it meant everything to a knight! Thanks to the numerous bravery stories, as well as romances, the stature and nature of a knight quickly changed from one of purely physical stature to moral, political, and influential power.

Chivalry undoubtedly benefited society positively, initially protecting the weak against corruption. While there were some selfish desires that used the name of chivalry, overall, the Code and Chivalry helped turn the tide away from civilians being the rewards of war and began the concept of just warfare.